Mrs. Moore

Grandpa Smith

Yoan Moore’s expression changed after hearing Natalie’s words. His sharp glare landed on her. But Natalie merely straightened her back, completely unafraid of Yoan’s gaze.

No matter how furious Yoan was, he couldn’t berate Natalie over this. He could only let out an awkward chuckle and say, “You haven’t seen your grandpa for so long. Don’t you miss him?”

Natalie frowned, If there was still someone in the Smith family that she truly cared about, it would be the old man. Yoan clearly wanted her to return as soon as possible so she could say a few nice words to her grandfather and persuade him to agree to Xander’s and Wendy’s marriage.

These guys surely have it planned well. They’re the ones who screwed me over yet I’m being forced to cover for them.

Seeing Natalie remain silent Yoan continued, “It’ll be the old man’s birthday in a few days, Natalie. No matter what Xander and Wendy did, the Smith family is still your family, and the old man is still your grandpa.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Moore. I’ll definitely return for grandpa’s birthday. Is there anything else? If not, I’ll be heading back to work.”

“Think carefully about what I’ve just said, Natalie. There’s nothing in it for you if you keep carrying on like this. Why can’t you let go? If you could just say a few nice things to the old man, then I promise you that the sales manager position will be yours.”

Natalie raised her head in shock and stared at Yoan with a very complicated expression. Then she finally let out a soft chuckle and asked “Do you not know how to keep your public and private interests separate Mr. Moore?”

“You…”

“I still have work to do, so I’ll take my leave if there’s nothing else you have to tell me regarding work.”

Yoan Moore was aghast when Natalie did not give him any form of respect.

“You should know your place!” he said ruthlessly while staring at Natalie’s back.

……

A week later Natalie received a phone call from the old man. “Come back and visit, Natalie. You can count on your grandpa if you need anything.”

It had been a long time since she had met her grandfather ‘Yonathan Otis Smith’ or as most people called him ‘Otis Smith’. She was well aware that she should have visited him first thing after her return, everything that had happened just threw her off course.

Natalie understood she couldn’t avoid her problems forever. She was still a Smith family member, and whether they liked it or not she had to return to the Smith house sometimes.

Natalie gripped her phone tightly before answering, “Of course grandpa, I know I can always count on you for support. Besides, how can I not drop by on your birthday? Since I couldn’t make it during your last birthday, I’ll prepare you an extra gift this year.” She tried her best to sound more natural.

But there was no way Yonathan Smith wouldn’t notice. “Just come back, I don’t need any of that nonsense,” he said, sounding resigned.

“Come on! I’ll surely bring you a gift you’ll be happy with.”

After hanging up, Natalie froze for a moment as she saw Xander Moore walking towards her.

For the past week, Natalie would evade Xander as much as she could. But now Xander seemed determined to not let her escape. The moment Natalie got up to leave, he quickly grabbed her by the hand and said “Let’s talk, Natalie.”

Natalie pushed Xander aside and stared coldly at him.

“There’s nothing to talk about between us.” No matter how much she used to like him she could only view him with hatred now.

“I still have work to do.” She added without any emotion on her face.

“Why must you be like this Natalie? Why can’t you accept the fact that nothing good would ever come out of our relationship?”

Xander looked at Natalie in frustration, feeling as though the once kind and caring Natalie was now gone. Just a year was enough to change a person this much.

“Can’t we continue to be friends?” He asked

“Friends?” Natalie scoffed. “No! we can’t. Also it’s over between us, what is even the point of all this? I’m not clinging to you anymore so please stop your nonsense in public.”

“Natalie!” Xander called out to her. “Grandpa’s birthday is in two days, Wendy and I really hope you can come home..”

Natalie froze, she could feel her blood boiling but she tried her best to control her anger. She clutched her purse tightly, straightened her back and declared “I will go back but it won’t be because of you!”

With that she walked away leaving Xander to just stare at her disappearing back.

…….

After work Natalie dropped by an antique shop. Old Man Smith had no other hobbies aside from collecting antiques. He was specifically interested in calligraphy and historic artefacts of different cultures. He had many calligraphy paintings and other ornaments on display in his house.

Word on the street was, the old man was even an antique appraiser back in his youth but had to give up his hobby to continue the family business.

Natalie had heard of this old antique shop that her friend had once mentioned, she was told that the shop contained many Chinese calligraphies and antiques. The moment she entered the antique shop a staff member immediately went over to assist her. “Are you looking for something in particular, miss?”

Natalie honestly was not well-versed with antiques. She just wanted to make the old man happy. After all, her grandpa Smith was the only person in the Smith family who treated her kindly and Natalie didn’t wish for him to worry for her.

“I’ll take a look on my own for now!” Natalie dismissed the staff politely and looked around. Though she had no idea what she should be looking for.

“A batch of Ming and Qing dynasty antiques just came in, Mr. Moore. We’ve reserved whatever you had requested of us that day.”

Natalie turned to see three men entering the store and the first in line was Theodore Moore, who she hadn’t seen in a few days. He remained silent nodding at whatever the middle-aged man in a simple black suit had to say.

Theodore Moore was looking around absent-mindedly but his gaze sharpened in on Natalie the moment they stepped into the store.

As his gaze landed on her, Natalie too just happened to turn towards him and their eyes met. Natalie saw Theodore’s lips curl into a smile. His gorgeous eyes also looked like they were smiling.

Before the middle-aged aged man could continue, Zachary cut him off hinting at the former not to speak anymore.

With a raise of Theodore’s arm, Zachary and the middle-aged man quickly went into the lounge.

Theodore pondered for a moment before walking towards Natalie in large steps. Natalie’s heart began to race uncontrollably. Evening sun rays were flooding into the store at this hour. The man walking over was backlit and the light created a halo around him. The light almost made him look like he was covered in a layer of gold.

It was a dazzling sight to see.

Natalie could not depreciate Theodore’s attractive features. That face could be described as out of this world. How amazing did one’s genes have to be to give birth to such a good-looking man?

“Long time no see, Ms. Smith!”

While Natalie was spacing out, Theodore had already reached her side. His held the cufflinks of his suit with his slender fingers and rubbed them gently, looking inscrutable.

Natalie came back to her senses and flushed red. “Long time no see, Mr. Moore!” she smiled.

Feeling a slightly awkward atmosphere between them, she spoke again “Are you into antiques too, Mr. Moore?”

“I only know a thing or two!” Theodore smiled and responded casually.

He wore a dark grey suit today. His body was well-proportioned and his legs were long and straight. At this moment he was leaning against a pillar. He looked somewhat relaxed, which was very different from his usual coldness.

He had left two buttons undone on the shirt he wore inside.

“Are you interested in antiques too, Ms. Smith?” he asked as he fiddled with the third button.

Natalie squinted her eyes and looked at Theodore. There was no denying that this man really was blessed with such good features. Just that simple movement he did was a world of difference from anyone else who attempted to do the same.

Natalie had to admit that Theodore had the ability to seduce anyone, even if they didn’t harbour any indecent thoughts about him.

Natalie shook her head and said, “No, not at all!”

She pondered for a quick moment before turning to Theodore to ask, “Do you think you can lend me a hand, Mr. Moore?”

“Oh?” Theodore raised his brow. “Do elaborate.”

Natalie pursed her lips. “The thing is… it’s my grandpa’s birthday in two days. He’s really into antiques, so…”

“So you’d like me to help pick a gift, Ms. Smith?”